Before replacing a broken appliance, check whether this model and fault can be repaired. If you need to replace it, choose a capacity that suits your needs, then compare the label data for appliances in the same category. For relevant appliances, also look at water use, noise and cycle duration. According to ADEME, the consumption figures shown are based on standard reference conditions and do not, on their own, reflect your day-to-day use.
If you’re replacing an appliance that gets frequent use or runs continuously, don’t focus on its energy class alone. Compare its consumption using the unit shown for its category, then check that its capacity suits your needs. ADEME recommends reading the label figures alongside their reference conditions.
If the appliance runs near living areas, its noise level may matter as much as its energy consumption. For categories where this information is shown, check the litres per cycle, decibel level and duration of the reference programme, as ADEME advises.
A fault doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy a new appliance. Ask for details of the fault, whether parts are available and whether a professional can carry out the repair. A rating shown on a new model may help with a future purchase, but it won’t diagnose your current appliance.
First, find out whether your current appliance can be repaired. If you need to replace it, compare its capacity and the data relevant to your needs with those of appliances in the same category.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use and capacity | Compare consumption in the same unit across appliances in the same category, then choose a capacity that suits your loads or the volume you need. | If I run cycles frequently or leave an appliance running continuously, I want to understand its consumption without choosing a capacity I don’t need. Around 40% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Water, noise and cycle | Where this information is shown, check the litres per cycle, noise level in dB and duration of the reference programme. | If I live in a home where the appliance can be heard from living areas, I also want to know whether its cycles and water use suit my daily routine. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Repair and lifespan | Ask for details of the fault and whether parts are available; request a quote if a repair seems possible. | When my appliance breaks down, I’d rather know whether I can keep using it after a repair before choosing another one. For around 30% of consumers, this is the main question. |
The letter alone doesn’t tell you whether the capacity is right, or what the water, noise and cycle duration figures mean. According to ADEME, you should read this information alongside the label’s reference conditions.
First compare appliances in the same category with a suitable capacity, then look at their figures using the same units.
Label figures describe standard reference conditions. The number of cycles you run, how full they are and which programmes you use may differ from the assumptions made.
Note how often you use the appliance and compare data for the same type of appliance. Don’t turn a per-cycle figure into a personalised annual estimate.
A repairability or durability rating shown on a new product doesn’t tell you whether your current appliance can be repaired. Whether a repair is feasible depends on factors such as the fault, parts availability and whether a repair can be carried out.
Ask for a diagnosis or quote when it’s practical to do so. In France, check with a certified repairer whether your product and fault qualify for the repair bonus described by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition.
A cycle running near a living area can be disruptive, even if the energy consumption suits you. ADEME recommends considering the noise level shown for relevant appliances.
Compare the decibel levels and, where it appears on the label, the noise class under conditions that match your use.
These washing machines, fridge freezer and compact dishwasher are options to consider if you need a replacement. They suit different needs: compare capacities within the same category and check the relevant label before comparing consumption figures.
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Worth considering if your usual laundry loads call for a 10 kg capacity. Check the relevant label for consumption and the reference cycle, as well as any information that may help you decide about maintenance and repairs.
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It’s worth comparing the 8 kg capacity with your usual laundry loads. The model name indicates a spin speed of 1400 tr/min. To compare energy use, water and noise with other washing machines, check the label figures and conditions.
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This model may be worth comparing if a 9 kg capacity suits your laundry loads. Its name indicates a spin speed of 1600 tr/min and a connected feature. Before deciding, check the conditions for using this feature and the duration of the programme you’re interested in.
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The stated 467 L capacity is worth considering if you need this much space. This four-door model is described as class E in its name. Check its label and compare its annual consumption with fridge freezers offering a capacity that suits your household.
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Its compact size may suit you if you want to wash a small amount of crockery. Check that the stated capacity of 3 place settings accommodates the items you usually wash, and look at the label and cycle conditions before comparing consumption figures.
The energy label applies to several appliance categories, including washing machines, dishwashers and fridges mentioned by ADEME. The information shown varies by category, so check the label for the appliance you’re considering rather than assuming they all show the same measurements.
No. First compare appliances in the same category, with consumption expressed in the same unit and under the same reference conditions. According to ADEME, a dishwasher may show kWh per 100 cycles; this figure cannot be compared directly with a fridge’s annual consumption.
Not necessarily. The Eco programme is often used as the reference on the label, but your consumption depends on the programmes you choose, how often you run cycles and how full the appliance is. Use the figure to compare appliances under the same conditions, then factor in how you use yours.
Look into it as soon as the fault could be diagnosed and a repair seems possible. Ask for details of the fault and whether parts are available. In France, the repair bonus described by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition depends, among other things, on the product, the fault and using a certified repairer.
No. A rating shown on a new appliance can help you assess that model, but it doesn’t replace a diagnosis of the appliance you own. The ministry responsible for the ecological transition distinguishes between the repairability rating and the durability rating, which replaced it for certain categories, including televisions and washing machines, in 2025.